i saw a ruger .22 magnum lever action at a small gun shop in PA a while back. i was very tempted to buy this gun, but have never even shot a .22 magnum. i know nothing about this gun, and can't find it on rugers web site. i also haven't seen another like it. has anyone heard anything about or owned one of these? it looks like a fun little plinker.

The Ruger 96 is pretty much a copy of the Marlin 56/57/57M with the exception of the magazine. All of them are fun guns to shoot,and have decent accuracy.
Winchester also made a lever action styled after the Marlin, a Model 250-22lr and a Model 255-22wmr.

I had a Marlin 57M-22wmr as a child,but sold it years ago.
Recently I got an unfired in the box first year(1956) Marlin 56-22lr in a trade,but then sold it to a collector before I got the urge to shoot it.
I do have a nice Winchester 255 22wmr though,and it's fun to shoot.You can still find these around for a decent price,most are $100-200.